Copy 1 




A HAND BOOK 



For Teachers, Officers and Mem- 
bers of Parent-Teacher Associa- 
tions, offering suggestions that are 
intended to be helpful and form- 
ative. Gathered from experience 
and from many sources. 



PREPARED BY 

CHARLES A. WAGNER, Ph. D. 

COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION 
SEPTEMBER, 1915 



Copies may be secured upon request 



MILFORD 

CHRONiaE 
PUBUSHING 
COMPANY 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

Page 

Preface 5 

Iiitrodiiction, Editorial by Dr. A. E. Winship 7 

Questions Concerning Associations Asked and Answered . . 9 

Steps in the Formation of an Association 14 

Organization Desirable : Why 15 

A Suggested Constitution 15 

A Suggested Order of Business 16 

By-Laws 16 

Proposed Activities of Delaware Associations 17 

Activities for Each Ijocal Field 19 

Activities in the General Field 23 

Making Associations Efficient 26 

Co-Operating Agencies 27 

Effective Forms of Expression and Dissemination of 

Sentiment 29 

Suggested Special Days 30 

Some Suggestive Programs 30 

Further Helps 32 

Flag Day Suggestions 33 

The American Flag 36 

How to Treat The American Flag 36 

Reports of State Conferences 37 

Reports of Successful Association Work 38 

Reports of Successful Public Meetings of a Unique Kind . . 42 

Why Join the Parent-Teacher Association of the National 

Congress of Mothers 44 

A Summarized Statement of the Significance of this Work 45 

An Expression of Gratitude, and a Last Word of Counsel 46 

How Results Will Eventually be Secured 47 



PREFACE. 



Because, as the result of a single year's effort, more than 
125 Parent-Teacher Associations were organized in this State 
last year, need has been created for a pamphlet such as this. 
The existence of so many Associations, and the organization 
of still many more, renders imperatively necessary a compila- 
tion of suggestions and proposals that shall show these zealous 
friends what such Associations may do to engage their ener- 
gies, arouse their hopes and occupy their time, thus fully jus- 
tifying the formation and the continuance of the Associations. 
The freest and widest counsel attainable has been sought and 
consulted. Co-operation between home and school is here laid 
as the bed-rock. Thence we hope to raise the superstructure 
of a mutually umlerstood, mutually esteemed and generously 
supported school system, whose most valuable outgo shall be 
"a responsible and participating personality," for each child 
that is so fortunate as to be educated here. 

Grateful acknowledgement is hereby made for the unfail- 
ing kindness of numerous friends in permitting use of material. 
It has been used believing that the generosity which prompted 
their first use of it must be heartily in accord with a yet wider 
and larger benefit that it may here bestow. 

THE AUTHOR. 



INTRODUCTION. 



(From A. E. Winship's ''Journal of Education," May 6, 1915, 
by Permission.) 

School Patrons' Associations, by whatever name desig- 
nated, have greater possibilities of good and evil than any 
other phase of near-school aclivities. One superintendent 
praises them highly ; another says he would as soon have his 
Satanic majestiy let loose in his community, and these men are 
equally good personally, professionally and civically, and they 
are both describing actual conditions. 

Theoretically there is nothing more needed, nothing more 
desirable, than an organization of patrons for the benefit of 
the schools. 

To be valuable they should be entirely cosmopolitan. All 
classes of patrons should belong, and all classes should attend, 
and there should be no more meetings than a large number 
will attend. There should be no meetings held without mem- 
bers of the school board, the superintendent or representative 
of his office, the principal, and all teachers in attendance. 

Such an organization must be wholly and always con- 
structive, never critical or destructive. There should be no 
criticism of parents or the public on one side, or of the Board 
of Education, superintendent or teachers on the other. 

It is no place for politics of any kind. Persons extra 
prominent in politics or in any campaign that tends to disrupt 
the public should not be prominent in a Parent-Teachers' 
organization. 

These conditions should be written into the constitution 
of every such association. We have known a Parent-Teachers' 
Association to be organized for pure deviltry, with a purpose 
to have very few members, to enable some one with a grievance 
to use it as a cloak for nefarious activity. 

On the other hand, the very large majority of the associ- 
ations as I know them are an intense power for good. They 
strengthen the hands of the best members of the Board of Edu- 
cation; they lead in every good movement for tlie schools; they 
make for the improvement of all material conditions; they are 
boosters for the schools ; they are a comfort and joy to every 
one in authority educationally, and they place every home be- 
hind every phase of school life. It is nothing against the prin- 
ciple that some people misuse the opportunity. That is true 
even in religious organizations. 



9 
I. QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED. 



1. Why have Parent-Teacher Associations? 

Answer : Many reasons ean be given. Space permits the 
statement of only a few : 

1. To put somewhere responsibility to j^lan and to initiate 
school betterment from year to year, so that not only business 
and occupation shall feel the effect of positive effort to im- 
prove, but that the school also shall secure its share in bettered 
conditions. School improvement is not the chief nor the sole 
duty of teacher nor of the School Commissioner. It should be 
the chief concern of the perents whose children are now in 
school. This is that set of children's only chance at an educa- 
tion. 

2. To inform the home of the aims, purposes, methods, 
plans and devices of the school, so that there may be intelli- 
gent, sympathetic, prompt and open endorsement and co-oper- 
ation between home and school. 

3. To serve as a community centre for the direction of 
some Community Business, such as entertainments, recreation, 
celebration of special days, conducting extension or continua- 
tion schools and courses. 

4. To combine and correlate school and community im- 
provement so that they shall seem a single, indivisible 
endeavor. 



2. What is a Parent-Teacher Organization? 

Answer: Under the leadership of the teacher, principal 
or superintendent of the school, call a public meeting, invite 
all parents, neighbors and citizens to attend, and then form 
an association called the Parent-Teacher Association. After 
organization, entirely simple but important work is found for 
the Association to get done, all of it promoting school better- 
ment. 



3. Is it worth while to conduct a small Association, that 
is, one with few members? 

Answer: Indeed it is. A large Association has more 
workers, can go into more lines of activity, perhaps achieve 



10 

more. A small Association has large possibilities. An Associ- 
ation of three members has done better work in some cases 
than Associations of fifty members. Given enthusiasm, the will 
to do backed by the feeling of need and the desire or lust to 
serve, and any Association can render praiseworthy help to 
the school. Undertakings must be proportioned to capabil- 
ities, and there will be no chance of failure or disappointment. 
A small Association must not undertake what a large one 
might undertake. The chief activity of the small Association 
is to arouse the neighborhood and to get more members. The 
teacher with a few really devoted parents has an encouraging 
start, and will surely get something done, even if it be so 
simple an improvement as to get a latch or a knob on the 
school door instead of a hasp fastened by means of a stick. 



4. Where should such Associations be formed? 

Answer : In every town or village, one Association should 
be formed for the entire school system. 

Also in each school in the rural districts. 

These local Associations should become members of the 
State Association, and also of the National Parent-Teacher 
Association, a branch of the National Congress of Mothers. 
For information about the National Association write to Mrs. 
Mary L. Marshall, Milford, Del., State President of the Parent- 
Teacher Association of the National Congress of Mothers. 



5. What is the definite duty of a Parent-Teacher Associ- 
ation? 

Answer : It is the crucible in which ideas and opinions 
for school betterment are melted and fused. Definite respon- 
sibility to make suggestions and to find ways and means are 
thus fixed. "What is everj^body's 'business is nobody's busi- 
ness ' ' will then not be true of the school as it is now. 

2. Interest, friendship, pride in participation in school 
betterment must be spread over the entire community by the 
Association just as other infections are spread. 

3. Besides interest and effort for local school betterment, 
the Association also arouses interest and aAvakens endeavor for 
school betterment for county and state, for the larger world 
of which we are a part. 

4. To bring to the front the problems of civic better- 



11 

ment, betterment of lives and living, passing by local, 
racial, family, church, political dififerences and prejudices. The 
total energy of an entire community, can thus be combined 
for a constructive program. 

5. When such opinion and sentiment for betterment have 
been formed, the Association will become an effective means 
for its expression and enactment into IsiW, if needed. With 
these Associations in existence it should be possible, during 
the next legislature, to have the opinion of the folks "at home" 
very precisely known by the legislators. If the "home folks" 
have said they want it, the legislature will grant what is 
wanted. 



6. Is this a duty or an opportunity of the Parent-Teacher 
Association? 

Answer : It is a duty. If it made no difference whether 
the chance were used or unused, it would be an opportunity. 
The use or the non-use of the chance, makes a great difference 
in the school. If parents want the best school and community 
for themselves and their children to live in, then they must 
form such an organization to take up and to look after the 
activities, duties, and responsibilities that lie between home 
and school. Home and school each has its function ; the terri- 
tory between must be looked after by joint action and respon- 
sibility, by intelligent, sympathetic co-operation. A line fence 
is cleared of noxious weeds by the action of both parties. 



7. How does such an Association accomplish its ends? 

Answer : It makes the school house and school plant the 
center of community activities, day, night, Saturday, Sunday, 
or other time if needed. Summer as well as winter, 

2. Through the school, instruction is secured and sup- 
plied not only to the children of school age, but to youth, adult, 
farmer or mechanic, as need may exist or arise. 

3. Recreation, amusement, improvement can be supplied 
through the school just as can continuation or extension in- 
struction. 



8. Is there any explanation for the occurrence of this 
movement at this time? 

Answer : Certainly. First ; A democracy is a success 



12 

when the citizens are self governing, hence our efforts are to 
develop that trait of character. Self-government as a quality 
of character results in looking out only for self, in neglecting 
the opportunities that exist for co-operation or joint effort. 
Self-centered and self-reliant individualism is produced by 
democracy. 

Second, improvement, whether of business, school or com- 
munity, requires initiative, the spirit to try the new way, the 
new plan. In business the owner starts new ideas; in politics, 
the leader of the party resorts to new methods. Now in school, 
it has taken us a long while to find that the main responsibility 
to start new things, to initiate betterment, is a joint function 
of home and school, since they were originally one institution. 
If either home or school could separate its work for the child 
from the other, no such joint responsibility need be imposed. 
Each would perform its own task. The child is not like raw 
material from the mine, sent to the mill to be fashioned and 
never brought back; his continual passing between home and 
school to be educated calls for a single purpose in a joint pro- 
cess. To devise and supply this single aim, giving it contin- 
uity, evenness, balance, sanity, is the work of the Parent- 
Teacher Association which occupies this middle ground be- 
tween home and school. 

Third, Democracy has as yet failed to evolve the right plan 
to develop leaders. Leaders of political parties are the only 
exception. This lack of leadership in community organization 
can be supplied by these Associations. 

Fourth. Such meetings of all the folk of the community 
are a very real revival of the old Anglo-Saxon mote or moot 
meeting to hear and discuss proposals and undertakings for 
the general good. That the application is to such specific pur- 
poses as school and community welfare through the school in 
no way deprives the meeting of this fundamental character. 
Rather it sanctions and confirms its rightness and propriety 
as to purpose and procedure, and reminds us where the "lead- 
ership" whose lack is so much bewailed by publicists must be 
sought. Representative government has for a time failed be- 
cause the steps preceding the choice of representatives has 
been neglected and undeveloped and unadjusted to the new 
form of a growing democracy. 



9. Does every community contain resources to sustain 
an Association? 

Answer: The undeveloped capabilities of most rural 



13 

communities could mana^je and direct most successful Associa- 
tions. Speaking talent, writing talent, reciting talent, musical 
ability of all kinds, all are going to waste. The Association 
should use every person's capabilities for the good of the com- 
munity. The pastor, the physician, the business man, the 
banker, the veterinarian, the state or county official, the farm- 
er, the mechanic, the county farm agent, the mayor of the 
town, all these and many others can be gotten to help not only 
with the programs but with the work and with the enterprises 
of the Association. 



14 
II. STEPS IN THE FORMATION OF AN ASSOCIATION. 



1. First Meeting: Use the children and a neighbor or 
two to provide a few simple exercises to entertain and instruct 
an audience, or arrange a general visiting day on some date, 
when everybody is to visit the school to see actual class work 
done. 



2. Let the teacher see all the parents of the community 
personally if possible, telling them about the meeting or visit- 
ing day, and asking them to attend. 



3. Have the children write invitations to be present to 
their own parents. 



4. Citizens and taxpayers not represented in the school 
by children may be invited by the children from homes where 
there are several children from one home. 



5. After the program and exercises by the children, the 
teacher, or some one for the teacher, should explain the pur- 
poses of the meeting, and this should be followed by an ex- 
planation of the work and activities of an Association. 



6. By arrangement with persons who are friendly, ques- 
tions should be asked and answered, and a discussion brought 
on. 



7. The teacher or County Superintendent should then 
effect a temporary organization by electing a president and 
secretary temporarily. 



8. Before adjournment, the president should be author- 
ized to appoint a committee on Constitution and By-Laws to 
report at the next meeting. 



15 

9. Fix the time for tlie next meeting, and name persons 
to see that a program is arranged for the next meeting. 

10. Register the names of persons present who will join 
in the Association's work. 

11. Second Meeting: Following the program prepared 
for the evening, read and adopt the Constitution and By-Laws; 
discuss and adopt them. Provide a speaker to deliver an ad- 
dress on some line of endeavor that might be interesting to 
your community, after electing the officers authorized under 
the Constitution. 



III. ORGANIZATION DESIRABLE ; WHY? 



1. It is the only way to get business done definitely and 
with despatch. 

2. Serving in the offices is a valuable education for the 
officials. 

3. Officers suggested : President, Vice-President, Secre- 
tary, Treasurer; there should be committees as follows : "Ways 
and Means, Executive, Membership, Hospitality, and special 
committees for special occasions. A Publicity Committee, to 
get reports of the meetings, addresses, papers and reports into 
the newspapers, is a valuable addition to the other means of 
spreading the ideas which the Association desires to spread 
througii the community. 



IV. A SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION. 



(Keep the organization as simple as possible.) 

ARTICLE I— Name. 

This organization shall be known as the (Parent-Teacher 

Association) or (Home and School League) of the 

public school. 

ARTICLE II— Purpose. 

The purpose of this Association (or League) shall be to 
study the welfare of the child in home, school and community ; 
to create a better understanding between parents and teachers, 



16 

and to secure eo-operation between parents and teachers in all 
endeavors and efforts for the betterment of school, home and 
community. 

ARTICLE III— Membership. 

Any person interested in the purpose for which this organ- 
ization is formed, participating in its activities by work, by 
attendance, contributions or otherwise, may be a member of 
this Association 

ARTICLE IV— Officers. 

The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice- 
President, Secretary and Treasurer, to be elected annually at 
the meeting in the month of 

ARTICLE V— Meetings. 

The regular meetings of this organization shall be held on 

the afternoon (or evening) of each month. 

Special meetings shall be called -by 

Note — An alternation of afternoon and evening meetings 
has been found very desirable. Fathers then have 
no excuse for not attending and joining the Associ- 
ation. 

ARTICLE VI— Amendments. 

This Constitution may be amended at any annual meet- 
ing, or by unanimous consent at any regular meeting when 
previous notice has been given at a regular meeting that such 
change is to be proposed and acted upon. 



V. BY-LAWS. 



In the By-Laws provide for these matters : Dues, duties 
of officers, waj^s of paying bills, auditing of accounts, an order 
of business, and the adoption of some standard Rules of Order 
to govern business procedure. 



VI. A SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS. 



1. Program of interesting or entertaining features, to 



17 

occupy from twenty-five to forty-five minutes. 

2. Transaction of necessary routine business, if any. 
This should usually be only reports of committees and consid- 
eration and action on the reports. 

3. Address or Addresses of the Day, followed by discus- 
sion and questions from members. 

4. Music : Vocal and instrumental, interspersed through 
the exercises. 

5. Proposal of new ideas, plans, suggestions, improve- 
ments by the members, and reference of these, to the proper 
committees. 

6. These exercises provide a fine opportunity for the dis- 
covery and development of "talent" of all kinds, much of 
which passes through the world undiscovered and unappre- 
ciated. This talent needs to be found and brought out, so as 
to minister to the community and time its measure of joy and 
satisfaction. The Association may well foster the spirit of a 
National Movement for the Conservation of Talent. Our rural 
sections have a great wealth of such ability. 

Note — This general order has been found to attract and 
to hold interest and attention. It permits the with- 
draAval of the pupils when or where this is desirable 
without disturbing the exercises. Do not let the 
order become fixed and invariable ; study variety of 
kind, quantity and order. 



VII. SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES OF DELAWARE 
ASSOCIATIONS. 



1. Make the work real. Parent-Teacher Organizations 
should be formed only for real work. Unless the Association 
lays out work and devises ways to get that work done, the 
question will soon arise, what are we meeting for? Reason 
and justification for the existence of the Association must be 
shown in the plans and projects for betterment, and in the rate 
of progress toward achievement and realization of these plans 
and projects. 

2. Marks of a live Association. The quality and degree 
of life and activity of an Association depends upon and is 



18 

measured by the quality of the leadership of the Association. 
Therefore put leaders into control and give them authority 
and wide discretion proportioned to responsibility. 

3. Leadership. 

1. The leader must be able to see — 

(a) What needs to be done locally, (for the com- 
munity) and generally, (for the State) ; 

(b) To make a correct estimate of the means at 
hand and available for the accomplishment of 
what needs to be done. 

2. The leader must be able to choose from among 
the things that need to be done those, 

(a) That are possible of immediate accomplish- 
ment; 

(b) Those that will become easier of accom- 
plishment after the Association has some achieve- 
ments to its credit. 

3 . The leader must be able to choose workers and to 
enlist them in the work of the Association. 

(a) Practically every member in some way, 
whether on a regular or a special committee, or 
in some office; give everybody something to do 
that appeals as worth doing to the doer; 

(b) Gradually to assign the working members 
to those duties which they like best and perform 
most hnppily and most satisfactorily. 

4. Two Classes of Activities Distinguished. Largeness of 
view, breadth of participation, re-enforcement of purpose, 
strengthening of hope, confidence of success, these and other 
helps to success come from entering into the county-wide and 
state-wide plans and projects that open and become possible to 
a state-wide co-operative group of Associations. Hence it is 
wise to recognize that each Association must be active in two 
fields or lines, namely, the local field and the general state- 
wide or nation-wide field. 

1. The Local Field. Needs, desires, possibilities are 
unlike in different communities. To discover what these 
are for each community is the first step. It need not be 
called by the presumptuous name 'A Community Survey.' 
A list of posible local needs is enumerated and briefly 



19 

commented upon in its proper place. For manifest reasons 
the determination of these local needs should engage at- 
tention first. 

2. The General Field. Usually the seemingly local 
needs are closely wrapped-up and related to some of the 
larger or state-wide needs. State-wide Health Inspection 
of school children is about as easy to get as purely local 
inspection, but estimate how much greater is the benefit 
if the larger application is secured. Each Association 
should therefore be busy with topics or plans from each 
list as submitted below, so that the maximum good may 
flow from the minimum effort. The list of topics is not 
proffered as final, exhaustive or complete, but merely as 
hints. Additional varieties of topics will readily suggest 
themselves. 



VIII. ACTIVITIES IN THE LOCAL FIELD. 



1. School Attendance. 

Any rural school whose attendance is below 85% or any 
town school whose attendance is below 90% has a live problem 
for its Association. Whose children are not attending school? 
Why are these children absent? What might be done to get 
them to school? Can the community be led to see, believe and 
act the belief that robbing children of their chance to get an 
education is exactly on a par with robbing a neighbor's hen- 
roost? For the children the result is much worse. 

(The Commissioner's Study of Attendance of Delaware 
School Children will help in the discussion of this topic.) 

2. Health Inspection of School Children. 

During 1915-1916 an inspection of the children's health 
conditions will probably be made by the teachers. This is in- 
tended to open the way for a movement to get legislation for 
State-wide Health Inspection by trained Inspectors. Helping 
to create sentiment favorable to the local inspection will pave 
the way for the larger movement. No one seriously questions 
the need or the benefit of such inspection. That sure sign of a 
spirit living in the past, the cry, "They didn't do that when we 
were children,'' is the only opposition offered; 20% of children 
suffering from eye trouble and 16% from ear trouble is an 
irrefutable answer to the plaint. 



20 

3. . . Standardized Schools. 

Staiulard quantities and conditions of light, heat, ventil- 
ation, water supply, play-grounds, reference libraries, and so 
on. An entire pamphlet on what constitutes such a standard 
has been in preparation for some time. This will be completed 
and distributed. After the Associations begin to better local 
conditions by meeting the requirements, schools should be des- 
ignated as Standard, given a large plate bearing the word 
Standard to place over the front door, and the schools which 
fail or refuse to make the effort to standardize should lose 
part of its standard dividend as a penalty. 

4. Community Centre. 

In and around the school may be centered many forms of 
Community activity. Debating Clubs, Singing School, Spell- 
ing School, Declamation Contests, Athletic Contests, Chau- 
tauqua Courses, Extension Courses, Continuation Classes, 
Vacation Schools, Corn or Garden Shows, and other like meet- 
ings for instruction, recreation, entertainment, co-operative 
endeavor. Evening Classes in Farm Accounting, Moonlight 
Illiteracy Schools, are examples of such work done in other 
states. The Association can encourage and promote such activ- 
ity until the work has demonstrated its worth and desirability, 
when sentiment will support the School Board in making it an 
integral part of the work of the school, to be supported as other 
school activities are supported. Thus to create sentiment fav- 
oring the extension of community support and activity is most 
fully to realize the 'local' purpose of forming the Association. 

5. School Equipment. 

No school should be without any of these items : a clock, 
(figures visible over entire room), late wall maps, U. S. flag 
and equipment for flying outside, thermometer, play-ground 
equipment, suitable reading and reference books for each 
grade, a card record of each child's work and attendance, an 
unabridged dictionary, a desk dictionary for each child above 
Grade V, individual or paper drinking cups, charts of native 
trees, plants, and wild life, a current newspaper or magazine, 
the local paper ; an organ or piano are very useful and desir- 
able if they can be used. 

6. School Embellishment 



Some effort to beautify school and grounds should be made 
everywhere. Trees, shrubs, and flowering plants as beds or 
borders for the ground; pictures, busts, models, etc., for the 
inside. An occasional "loan" of such objects from the homes 



21 

foi' meetings of the Association will convince the indifferent or 
unconcerned of the value of beauty in molding taste, shaping- 
character, and helping respect for orderliness and law in the 
community. 

7. School Lunches. 

In every school that has children who carry school 
lunches this problem should be studied, so that the right ed- 
ibles are included for health and for work. One rural teacher 
solved the lunch problem with an oil stove and lessons in 
Domestic Science, with the noon hour as the laboratory period. 
Such a solution is possible wherever the teacher has the re- 
quired "spirit." Pamphlets on the subject are numerous. The 
National Congress of Mothers has a List of Loan Papers that 
cover this and practically all other of the topics suggested by 
this one of Hygiene. Each Association should have and should 
make use of this Loan List. 

8. Destitution. 

Each Association should have a Committee to look after 
any cases that are found. The County Overseers of the Poor 
will help. Usually some Church Association can be interested, 
and if not the Association itself may organize a department 
for this activity. 

9. Home Gardening. 

The Association may very profitably foster 'this form of 
activity, raising money to pay the vacation teacher of Home 
Gardening the first year or until sentiment is ready to support 
the School Commissioners in paying such salary. The money 
earned by the children the first summer usually convinces the 
most skeptical that the project is thoroughly good ; the incul- 
cation of industry, thrift and sense of responsibility through 
the gardening justify the outlay. 

10. Club Work. 

Promotion of Corn, Canning, Potato, Poultry, Blight 
Fighting, Insect Destruction, and other clubs, is a valuable 
form of local endeavor. This enlists children and adults, in a 
genuine civic welfare endeavor. It arouses community spirit 
and pride, impresses importance of co-operative effort, helps 
to make money and spreads the consciousness of power result- 
ing from united effort. 

11. School Meets. 
Interschool and Intercounty contests and meets are the 
best and quickest means for developing a state-wide conscious- 



22 

ness of real identity of interest, identity of aim, and oneness 
of aspiration ; such local meets should be followed by county 
and state meets in all kinds of competitive contests. The State 
College at Newark has already held two such contests. There 
should be elimination contests in each county to pick the repre- 
sentative to go to Newark. Such contests will break up entirely 
the feeling now more or less common in each county that it 
alone possesses high qualities and excellences. Each county 
has merits and excellences which the others sliould learn to 
recognize, to prize, and to include in its state pride. 

12. School Saving's Banks. 

The saving habit is as fairly and as properly a subject of 
instruction and training for children as are other desirable 
traits of character. School and Home accomplish most when 
each helps the other. Poultry Clubs, Canning Clubs, etc., will 
provide the money to save, or perhaps allowances of nominal 
wages for work done at home. To save a part of what is earn- 
ed, as Franklin teaches, is a necessary life lesson. The School 
Savings Bank furnishes the means, and what is more import- 
ant, furnishes the sentiment, the 'public opinion' or the atmos- 
phere that encourages saving. 

13. Minimum Attendance. 

Is the Compulsory Attendance term as now fixed at the 
right time of year? Should it be earlier or later? Should it 
be longer or shorter? Is it obeyed by the citizens? Enforced 
by the Commissioners and County Superintendent? Any law 
disobeyed is breeding contempt for law, thus sowing the seed 
for crime and criminals ; should a community permit the con- 
tinuance of disregard and disobedience to law? 

14. Consolidation. 

Some schools are so small they should be consolidated with 
a nearby school. No school of less than twelve pupils should 
be allowed to continue. Some schools are too large for one 
teacher and yet rather small for two teachers. It is cer- 
tain that no additional room will be built. In either case, con- 
solidation with nearby schools is the proper remedy. Rather 
than build new houses or than make expensive repairs, schools 
should be consolidated. Are conditions ripe at your school to 
plan for consolidation now or soon? The advantages of con- 
solidation should be made very plain to parents, and the ob- 
jections fairly considered and answered. A special pamphlet 
on this subject is in process of preparation now. 



23 
15. Neighborhood Resources. 

lu every neigliborhood vast quantities of newspapers, 
magazines, reference books, objects of interest, and so on may 
be borrowed from homes. Schools often have nothing of the 
kind, and the homes hardly know how to get rid of it. The 
Association can secure a complete list of such resources from 
the homes of the neighborhood and make them available to 
the school if it is made clear that the school (1) wants such re- 
sources available, (2) will make good use of them, and (3) 
will return them in good condition after use. 

16. School Library. 

Have some meeting for the donation of "The Price of a 
Book," for library, reference or other material. Subscription 
to magazines may also be included. Every school should have 
something like "Current Events," to connect the events of the 
day with the History and Geography of the class lessons. 

17. Holiday Celebrations. 

Such celebrations should be for the entire community, and 
not only for the school. Closing the school term with a school 
picnic is the right spirit, but such an occasion early in the 
school term will make teacher and parents acquainted at the 
right end rather than at the wrong end of the term. Arbor 
Day, Farm-life Day, Good Roads Day, are suggestions for rural 
schools ; Clean-Up Day, Aibor Day, Flowering Shrub Day, are 
examples for town schools. 

18. School Sanitation. 

Health, cleanliness and decency in water-supply, latrines, 
out-houses, why necessary? how secured? how maintained? 
How rural school may have conveniences, comforts, and san- 
itation equal to the town school? 

19. Other topics as may be suggested, or as may grow 
out of the meetings. 



IX. ACTIVITIES IN THE GENERAL FIELD. 



Added to the local community problems are those prob- 
lems of general and state-wide interest, that concern each or- 
ganization in the state. Local activity alone will promote 
local interests, but for the most rapid and most substantial 



24 

growth and spread of sentiment, each Association must also 
be interested and active in forming opinion on the general 
problems. Hence a few of these are here enumerated and 
commented upon. 

1. School Tax Problem. 

This is a most troublesome problem. The system as it 
stands and has stood since 1829 is not democratic in principle, 
is not equitable and is not satisfactory. A state-wide study 
and discussion of the problem should be undertaken, and a 
clear understanding of just how it works disseminated 
throughout the state. Democracy rests on the belief that 
wrong must be cured by spreading knowledge about it. A 
special bulletin, showing some of the inequity of the system, 
might lead to a sentiment favorable to something better. 

2. Feeble Minded. 

The presence of a feeble-minded child in the school is 
damaging to the feeble-minded child and to all the rest of the 
children. Few schools are without cases of more or less seri- 
ousness. A re-adjusted tax system might yield the necessary 
funds to care for the feeble-minded children. Certainly due 
regard to the claims of the feeble-minded and of the rights of 
the normal children, force us to study this problem. 

3. Consolidation. 

By the advice of the County Superintendents the proper 
and advantageous centres of consolidation in each county are 
being mapped out. About these centres the question should 
be carefully considered in each of the districts recommended 
to be included in any project. Detailed plans of cost, advan- 
tages, objections will be furnished upon application, so the 
discussion may be intelligent and practically useful. The 
County Superintendents will attend meetings for this purpose 
if requested to do so. 

"4. Standardization. 

Schools so situated that they cannot become part of a Con- 
solidation project should at Once be started toward Standard- 
ization. Standard conditions should be carefully stated and 
explained so that sentiment for a law upon Standardization 
may be created. A special dividend to schools made standard, 
or the loss of a part of the dividend by schools that do not 
standardize, would help to bring such conditions. Sentiment 
for the law the Associations can and should create. 



5. State Health Inspection. 

Other states find this valuable from the moral and econ- 
omic point of view. If vrcrth while, then the search for funds 
to establish it as a state function must start. The Associations 
should show in e-aeh community what benefits accrue to home 
and school where children's health is carefully watched 
through the school. 

6. Teacher's Pensions. 

Next to attendance hy the children, the greatest need of 
our schools is more money for teachers, part of it as salaries 
and another part of it as pensions. Better salaries and pen- 
sions mean teachers with better preparation, with larger per- 
sonalities, with higher hopes and aspirations, hence with more 
uplifting influence in the community. This too is a phase of 
the tax problem. 

7. Special Instruction. 

Domestic Science, Vocal Music, Manual Training, Contin- 
uation Classes, Vocational Guidance, these are just as much 
needed by the rural as by tlie town child. Until we have larger 
schools the country child will not often get any instruction in 
these branches; to send a special teacher is too wasteful of 
time, hence the rural child loses his chance, in which the loss 
of knowledge is not nearly so important as the loss of the 
chance to find out whether he likes that kind of thing and is 
gifted in it This revelation of gift, of inborn talent, is what 
justifies variety in the course of study, and the child who must 
go to a school where he finds an insufficient variety is losing 
part of his chance in life. The Associations should spread this 
truth. 

'- "^ 8. Commissioners' Conventions. 

Just as teachers' institutes are worth while, so conven- 
tions of Commissioners, of Parent-Teacher Associations would 
be profitable. Sentiment for appropriations for these purposes 
should be created by agitation and discussion. 

9. School Supervision. 

Each County Superintendent visits his schools once a year; 
for supervision this amounts to less than nothing since it serves 
to deceive some people into believing that our schools are 
supervise.d- ■ They are not. The C/Ounty Superintendents 
should have assistance, probably at first a skilled Primary 
Supervisor, Each Association should inform its community 
of the gain to the teacher who is first told Avhat to do and then 
visited to see how she does it; that is the true work of supervi- 



26 

siou. If this information is spread, the right sentiment is sure 
to develop. 

10. Co-Operation. 

Co-operation with the State Co-operative Educational 
Association, to secure information, skilled guidance, and su- 
pervision in overcoming some of our state difficulties, by help 
from the U. S. Commissioner of Education, P. P. Claxton, Ph. 

11. Good Roads. 

School betterment depends in many cases upon an ante- 
cedent betterment of the roads. Consolidation is possible only 
if pupils are transported ; transportation is feasible only over 
good roads. Therefore, sentiment for good roads is one very 
direct help to consolidation. 

12. Authority in School Matters. 

This needs to be very definitely distributed and co-ordinated. 
For instance, it is not at all clear just who has definite author- 
ity to order certain changes in sanitary conditions of schools ; 
this and other authority needs to be very specifically allotted 
by legislation that shall incorporate into one acr all the various 
laws that now relate to this authority, being careful to prop- 
erly co-ordinate the various grants of power and authority. 

13. Community Civics and Sanitation. 

An all important matter in most communities ; much more 
comfort and convenience might be had in most communities 
if an effort were made. 

14. Other topics as may be suggested, or as they may 
develop from discussions. 



X. RENDERING THE ASSOCIATIONS EFFICIENT. 



The Associations will achieve the end for which they are 
called into existence if they, 

(a) Become the means of enlightening the public on 
educational problems, so there may be an intelligent and 
positive public opinion favorable to certain well-under- 
stood, well-appreciated and thoroughly-desired school 
betterments ; 



27 

(b) Become the avenue for the spread and dissemina- 
tion of this positive sentiment and for the insistent and 
the will-not-to-be-denied demand and expression of these 
needed betterments. 

(c) Insistent demand and expression of rationally- 
formed sentiment is as necessary as the formation of the 
sentiment. When legislation is up for passage in the next 
legislature, every particle of sentiment in favor of pro- 
posed bills should be focussed right upon the members of 
the session. Letters to the press, letters to the commit- 
tees, letters to the members of the legislature, personal 
visits to members and to committees of the legislature, 
joint resolutions adopted by Associations sent to the press, 
members of the legislature, citizens, officials, all will be 
ways to express the Association's sentiment in favor of 
proposed legislation. 

(d) This activity is important and effective because 
the legislator is pretty generally 'for' or 'against' the 
things that he knows the people in his community are 'for' 
or 'against'. That the wishes of the Association may be 
influential and effective, therefore, the members should 
take pains to let the legislators know what are the opin- 
ions of the folks at home. 

(e) There is ample historical justification for this 
analysis. The Committees of Correspondence of Revolu- 
tionary times created the feeling of 'nationality' that 
welded the colonists together and gave them their con- 
sciousness of unity, of strength. This example of effective 
propaganda work should be carefully studied and the way 
paved for a like activity whenever circumstances call for 
it. 



XI. CO-OPERATING AGENCIES. 

This influence of personal appeal, by letter, or through 
the press, should be brought to bear on each and all of the co- 
operating agencies. Members of the Parent-Teacher Associa- 
tions are also members of these other agencies, hence harmon- 
ious action and mutual support and co-operation will be easy 
to secure. Opposition in purpose and duplication of function 
or service among these activities are wasteful and disappoint- 
ing. Avoid such opposition and duplication by all means, 
practising instead co-operation at every point. 



28' 

1. The Church and Its Pastor. \ 

Request special services or sermons urging the duties of 
parents to educate their children. 

2. The Press. 

Supply city and local newspapers with reports of the 
meetings and addresses and papers read. Children might 
write such reports in a competitive exercise, with a prize offer- 
ed by the Association, as part of a school language exercise. 

3. The Grange. 

The Grange, through its educational committee, will al- 
ways be glad to lend a hand to projects for school and com- 
munity improvement. Following some special address before 
the Association, it may often also be given before the Grange. 

4. Farmer's Institute. 

A place on the program can usually be secured by the 
Teacher or Principal, or by the President or Secretary of the 
Association, to make an appeal for any project then under 
way. 

5. The New Century Clubs. 

Have shown their entire readiness to co-operate in every 
endeavor that aims to make life and living better in the state 
or community. Invite them to special meetings or offer to help 
in special discussions of any of these suggested topics. 

6. County Superintendents and Teachers. 

Each should be active in one or more Associations, ready 
to help as time and opportunity permit, to participate in the 
work of the Associations. 

7. State College Extension Service. 

Speakers on selected topics should be asked for from the 
Extension Bureau. Take what they offer, but also ask for what 
you want ; they are in existence to serve the public needs. 

8. The State Board of Agriculture. 

Will help in any effort to arouse a more intelligent study 
of problems of production and marketing of crops, the fighting 
of pests and blights, the direction of clubs and club work. 

9. The County Farm Agents. 

Will help with lectures, counsel, demonstration, class in- 
struction, or any way that time and facilities will permit. 



29 

10. The State Board of Health. 

Will help with lectures, addresses, reports, and so on. 

11. The State Board of Education. 

Will help with counsel, direction and suggestion. 

12. Good Homes. 

Those having no children in the schools will mostly he glad 
to help in any possible ways if properly approached. 

13. Public Libraries. 

Will help with suggestions for programs and with mater- 
ials for programs if called upon. 



XII. EFFECTIVE FORMS OF EXPRESSION. 



In the meetings almost any form of expression may be 
effective. No form of effective expression should be restricted 
to the meetings however. The larger hearing of the commun- 
ity should be secured for the worthy argument or appeal. 
Many ways for securing this are within reach. Thus, 

1. The office of the Commissioner of Education supplies 
all the newspapers with a report called "State School News". 
If your local paper does not print these notes, wa*ite to the 
editor and ask him to do so. This will be a good first step in 
bringing sentiment around to the side of the Association 
workers. 

2. Have reports of meetings prepared as a competitive 
exercise among the High School pupils. Award prizes or 
honors to the winners. Have the papers print the winning re- 
port. 

3. Make individual or Associational request upon pastors 
for special service, sometimes on "Health", another time on 
"Attendance", another time on "Habits", and so on 

4. Write special letters to the paper or have a communi- 
cation prepared and adopted by the Association, the Grange, 
the Institute, etc., as Resolutions. 

5. Discuss the problems with friends at places other than 
the public meetings of the Association. 



30 

6. Write to legislators and their friends. 

7. In general, do not expect that someone else has al- 
ready done the thing or is doing it. Rather, assume that unless 
you do it, it will not be done at all, going after every person 
whose opinion counts. 



XIII. SUGGESTED SPECIAL DAYS. 



1. Agriculture and Rural Life Day. Bulletin, 1913, No. 
43, Whole Number 553, prepared by Eugene C. Brooks, will 
supply more ideas than you can use for a number of such days. 
The Bulletin may be had free, from the U. S. Bureau of Edu- 
cation, Washington, D. C. 

2. Arbor and Bird Day. A pamphlet by Charles A. 
Greathouse, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, In- 
dianapolis, contains a wealth of material and suggestion. Free 
while the supply lasts. 

3. Peace Day. Bulletins for Peace Day, U. S. Dept. of 
Education for 1912 and 1913, Washington, D. C. May be had 
upon request. 

4. Delaware Day. Pamphlet by Professor Wesley Webb, 
Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, on the Resources 
of Delaware. 

5. Birthdays of Washington, Lincoln and others as cir- 
cumstances may render appropriate. 

6. Safety-First Day. 



XIV. A FEW SUGGESTIVE PROGRAMS. 



(From "A Hand Book," by Supt. L. J. Hanifen of West 
Virginia. Secure a copy, if possible, from Supt. M. P. Shaw- 
key, Charleston, W. Va.) 

Health Night. 

1. Song, led by school choir. 

2. Devotional exercises. 

3. The House Fly as a Spreader of Disease. 



31 

4. The Ventilation of a Bed-room. 

5. Why we have colds. 

6. Song. 

7. Sources of Disease in our Community (by a physician 
or by a member of the State Board of Health.) 



Good Roads Evening. 

1. Song, 

2. Devotional Exercises. 

3. Explanation of a Road Map of the District (from 
blackboard, by a pupil, if possible to put there in advance.) 

4. Inconvenience of present roads. A business man. 

5. Losses to the community from the Roads as they are. 

6. Song. 

7. Cost of making our Roads as they should be. (County 
Engineer.) 

8. The best local means of improving our Roads. 

9. Should Road Improvement begin Now or Next Year? 
10. Song. 



Library Program. 

1. Song. 

2. Devotional Exercises. 

3. Recitations by pupils on value of books. 

4. Illustration by an older pupil, to show (1) The few 
facts usually given in text; (2) The more numerous facts se- 
cured from a reference book; use some lesson from the day's 
work, to impress the importance of Reference Libraries. 

5. The Advantage of Reference Work. (Teacher or Su- 
perintendent.) 

6. What is a good book? (Read some standard essay on 
the subject.) 



32 

7. Good Books cOiid Character. (By the local Clergy- 
man.) 

8. Instrumental Music. 

9. Librarj^ needs of the school. (Teacher or Principal.) 
10. Singing. 



Other Programs. 

The County Superintendents or the Commissioner of Edu- 
cation will gladly make further suggestions upon request. Usu- 
ally the librarian of the local library will be glad to assist by 
finding material from the resources of the library for recita- 
tions, addresses, papers, magazines, etc. Immense stores of 
such material exist near and about schools everywhere, but are 
never used. The Association should find where it is, get per- 
mission to use it, and draw on it freely. Use all the Community 
resources whether in persons or possessions to make the Asso- 
ciation vigorously vivacious. 



XV. FURTHER HELPS. 



Upon request, circulars and bulletins will be prepared 
upon suggested topics, helps given, references stated, speakers 
suggested means of effective expression proposed, to Associa- 
tions. As already stated, pamphlets on Consolidation of 
Schools and on Standardization of Schools arc now in course 
of preparation. 

Secure a copy of Supt. L. J. Hanifen's "A Hand Book," 
from Supt. M. P. Shawkey, Charleston, West "V'a. 

Also a copy of Bulletin VII, South Carolina School Im- 
provement Association, issued by the State Department of 
Education, Columbia, S. C. 

Also a copy of Bulletin No. 41, of the Alabama School Im- 
provement Association, issued by the Department of Educa- 
tion, Montgomery, Alabama. 

Also the pamphlet "How to Organize Parents' Associa- 
tions," from the National Congress of Mothers, Washington, 
D. C. Certainly get the list of Loan Papers. 

The School Progress League, 612 Chestnut St., issues a 
helpful circular. 



33 
XVI. FLAG DAY SUGGESTIONS. 



If not a separate day, then as part of some patriotic cele- 
bration, as Memorial Day, lessons ijti patriotism should be in- 
culcated. As part of such exercises there should be reading 
of the Declaration of Independence, the singing of America 
and the Star Spangled Banner, and a salute to the Flag. The 
following is taken from the American Flag Association's cir- 
cular for 1914 : 

Salute to the Flag for Schools. 

At a given hour in the morning, the pupils are assembled 
and in their places in the school. A signal is given by the 
Principal of the school. Every pupil rises in his place. The 
flag is brought forward from the door to the stand of the prin- 
cipal or teacher. While it is being brought forAvard from the 
door to the stand of the principal or teacher, every pupil gives 
the flag the military salute, which is as follows : The right 
hand uplifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead, 
close to it. While thus standing with palm downward and in 
the attitude of salute, all the pupils repeat together slowly 
and distinctly the following pledge : 

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for 
which it stands ; 

One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 

At the words, as pronounced in this pledge, "To my Flag," 
each one extends the right hand gracefully, palm downward, 
toward the flag, until the end of the pledge or affirmation. 
Then all hands drop to the side. The pupils, still standing, all 
sing together in unison the song "America." 

In the primary departments, where the children are very 
small, they are taught to repeat instead of the pledge as given 
for the older children : 

"I give my head and my heart to God and my country; 
One country, one language, one Flag." 

"In some schools, the salute is given in silence, as an act 
of reverence, unaccompanied by any pledge. At a signal, as 
the Flag reaches its station, the right hand raised, palm down- 
ward, to a horizontal position against the forehead, and held 
there until the Flag is dipped and returned to a vertical posi- 
tion. Then at the second signal, the hand is dropped to the 
side and the pupil takes his seat. 



34 

The silent salute conforms very closely to the military and 
naval salute to the Flag. 

Principals may adopt the 'silent salute' for a daily exer- 
cise and the 'pledge salute' for special occasions." 



35 

May every teacher and child and youth in the State of Del- 
aware make the following apostrophe to the flag his or her own 
definition, to be kept in memory throughout life. You are in- 
deed the "makers of the flag." 

Dr. Henry van Dyke, who is now Minister to the Nether- 
lands, in his Phi Beta Kappa poem at Harvard University in 
1910, added these two striking stanzas to the treasured poetry 
of our flag : 

brave flag, bright flag, flag to lead the free ! 

The glory of thy silver stars. 

Engrailed in blue above the bars 

Of red for courage, white for truth. 

Have brought the world a second youth 
And drawn a hundred million hearts to follow after thee. 

First of the flags of earth to dare 

A heraldry so high ; 
First of the flags of earth to bear 

The blazons of the sky ; 
Long may thy constellation glow, 

Foretelling happy fate ; 
"Wider thy starry circle grow, — 

And every star a State ! 



36 
THE AMERICAN FLAG. 



Its Use: Its Forbidden Abuse: 

The American flag is the symbol of the brotherhood of 
man. it stands for courage, for chivalry, for generosity and 
honor 

No hand must touch it roughly ; no hand shall touch it 
irreverently. 

Its position is aloft : To float over its children, uplifting 
their eyes and hearts by its glowing colors and splendid prom- 
ise ; for under the Stars and Stripes are opportunities unknown 
to any other nation of the world. 

The Government commands the people to honor their flag ; 
Men and boys should uncover as they pass the vivid stripes 
which represent the life blood of brave men, and the stars 
which shall shine on forever. 

It must be raised at sunrise ; lowered at sunset. It is not 
a plaything of the hour; it is a birthright of privilege and in- 
tegrity. 

It may not be used as staff, or whip or covering. 

It shall not be marred by advertisement, nor desecrated on 
the stage. 

It was born in tears and blood ; It was baptized in blood 
and tears. 

It has floated since June 14th, 1777, over a country of 
benevolence, refuge and progress. 

It must always be carried upright. 

To bear the Star Spangled Banner is an honor, to own one, 
a sacred trust. 

It is the emblem of Freedom, of Equality, of Justice for 
every person and creature as it floats unvanquished — untar- 
nished over the open door of free education. 

IDA LOUISE GIBBS, 

Chairman, Committee on Prevention of 
Desecration of the Flag. 

Daughters of the American Revolution. 
Massachusetts, 1912. 

MRS. J. G. DUNNING, State Regent. 



37 
XVII. REPORTS OF STATE CONFERENCES. 



1. Conference of Colored Parent-Teacher Associations at the 
State College for Colored Students. 

On Saturday, July 1, at the close of the Summer School at 
the State College, a conference of teachers, students, and dele- 
gates from Parent-Teacher Associations was held. In spite of 
the busy harvest season and the hot weather, a satisfactory 
attendance was present. Commissioner Chas. A. Wagner was 
called upon to preside. 

Addresses by the County Superintendents and by Dr. 
Jason were interspersed by singing and by vocal solos. Some 
of the topics spoken on were : 

Dr. Cross, How School Commissioners May Help the 
School ; 

Dr. Carroll, The Proper Relations of Home and School ; 

Supt. Hardesty, The Treatment of School Delinquencies ; 

Dr. Jason, The Summer School and the Teacher. 

More organizations and more definite betterments under- 
taken are a sure result from this conference. The only feature 
lacking to make the conference entirely successful were re- 
ports from Associations telling of the things accomplished dur- 
ing the year. 

There are twenty-three' Associations in existence, many 
doing very active service. 

2. Notice of the State Conference at Delaware College, 
Newark, on July 28. 

At the call of Mrs. Mary L. Marshall, State President of 
the Parent-Teaclier Associations of the National Congress of 
Mothers, a State Conference of delegates from Associations 
was held jointly with the Summer School. The State Vice- 
President, Mrs. E. V. Wootten, presided, owing to the unavoid- 
able absence of Mrs. Marshall because of a recent most heavy 
bereavement. 

Both forenoon and afternoon sessions were largely at- 
tended. The reports from the Associations by Counties were 
most interesting and suggestive. The reports from individual 
teachers carried genuine conviction and belief in Association 
endeavor to many of those who had been in doubt. 



38 

The addresses by Dr. J. L. Eisenberg, Mrs. F. L. Schoff, 
National President of the Congress of Mothers, and by Com- 
missioner of Education, Dr. Chas. A. Wagner, opened such 
views of desirable and possible achievement for next year that 
all went away with some idea or other as the specially suitable 
endeavor for their locality. Never has the state's teaching 
force, from the County Superintendents on down, had such a 
clear consciousness that sentiment for better educational con- 
ditions is forming rapidly and taking a very determined stand. 

The reports from the Associations as read at the Confer- 
ence are included in this pamphlet under the caption of 
Reports of Successful Association Work. 



XVIII. REPORTS OF SUCCESSFUL ASSOCIATION 

WORK. 



(Note — Abridgement of the Reports was absolutely neces- 
sary. Only activities engaged in that may be worth while 
as a suggestion to other Associations are mentioned.) 



1. Report of the New Castle County Associations. 

(By Adelaide E. Houghton.) 

The Newark Association has 70 members ; it charges no 
dues, and takes no collections at the door. Both teachers and 
parents have read papers that led to interesting and profitable 
discussions. Definite lines of work are planned for next year. 

The Middletown Association was organized with 50 mem- 
bers. It has held monthly meetings. Discussions proved the 
most interesting features of the meetings. A voluntary con- 
tribution box at the door provided necessary funds. It has 
joined the State Parent-Teacher Association. 

Edgemoor has a School Improvement League. It has 15 
adult and 38 junior members. The Parents have taken more 
interest than the teachers or the community. The league is 
working for School Consolidation. 

The Hockessin Association has had but one meeting. This 
Association has a man as its President. Definite work is plan- 
ned for the term of 1915-1916. 



39 

The New Castle Association has a membership of 200. Dis- 
cussions and addresses have been most interesting and product- 
ive. The Association has asked the Board of Directors to place 
Drinking Fountains into the school buildings. 

Welsh Tract School has organized an Association. The 
slim attendance of the meetings has been somewhat discour- 
aging. 

The Newport and Townsend Associations did not supply 
the reporter with a copy of their report. 

There are probably other Associations in existence whose 
officers did not report the fact of organization to the Commis- 
sioner of Education. 



2. Report of the Kent County Associations. 

(By Clara M. Harrington.) 

The report deals with activities of ten Associations. Many 
other communities have said they will organize next year. 

The Dover Association, owing to illness of the President, 
did not experience a very active year . Due to the Association, 
sentiment was created to introduce sewing into the schools. 
Effort toward a new High School building is being put forth. 
The Grammar Room of the Dover Schools has an "Improve- 
ment Club;" the Association and the Club had a joint meeting 
to close the year. 

The Leipsic Association had four meetings. Addresses 
proved the most attractive features. Dr. Carroll, Professor 
Pence, and Commissioner Chas. A. Wagner were among the 
speakers ; interest is on the increase. 

Servison's School has an organized Association, but has 
had no meeting since the organization. The people of the dis- 
trict regard the movement with favor and are making offers 
of help for the meetings. 

No report was received from the Clayton Association. 

The Felton Association started with 40 members. The 
meetings are very well attended. Committees have been ap- 
pointed, to report at each meeting, namely, a Visiting Commit- 
tee, and an Extension Work Committee. The School Board 
has promised to install electric lights in the school building so 
as to furnish accommodations to the Association. The com- 
munity looks with favor on the Association. 



40 

The Frederica Association lias had three meetings, enthus- 
iasm showed promise of results. Definite plans will be made 
for work as soon as the schools re-open, A better understand- 
ing between schools and homes has already shown itself in 
cases of disputed discipline. Interest and support of Home 
Study has resulted from the meetings. 

The Milford Association has had eight meetings. Child 
Study topics proved most interesting. A Public Playground is 
one of the aims of the Association. 

The Houston Association was organized with 14 members. 
Six meetings have been held, with a satisfying attendance of 
parents. A Children's School Club has also been formed. 
Much general good has come from the 'Association, even if no 
very definite line of work was taken up. Improvement of the 
School Ground is to be taken up next year. 

Tomahawk School has an Association that has had six 
meetings. Much increase of interest in the. school is apparent 
as a result. "A More Home-like School-room" was our effort 
this year. This school wants a "Completion Day;" an exer- 
cise marking the completion of Eighth Grade work by the pu- 
pils is to be worked for next year. 

The Harrington Association has more results to its credit 
than any other Association. Regular monthly meetings are 
held. Addresses, discussions and a Question Box have proved 
most interesting. Fathers as well as mothers attend the meet- 
ing. The Association has improved the appearance of the 
school-ground, started a school library, bought a clock and 
gong for the Assembly Room, has installed a type-writer in 
the school; a High School pupil, Jesse Ward, has iiistalled a 
system of electric bells. The Association made a special effort 
to improve the percentage of attendance through a special 
committee; $52 has been raised for Play-ground equipment. 
The school-ground has been enlarged by the. purchase of four 
acres of ground, making the school lot ten acres. A, Special 
Committee is to have the new and enlarged ground in readi- 
ness for the school. The Association urged the School Board 
to complete the basement of the school-building to render it 
available for Domestic Science, etc. School Credits for Home 
Work were established. Next year the work of the Associa- 
tion is to be divided into departments, .. each under a leader. 
The Senior Class of the High School is to be invited to become 
Junior members of the Association. It has joined the National 
Association, and feels helped by this connection. 

Some Associations failed to report, hence no statement of 
their work can be included. 



41 

3. Report of the Sussex County Associations. 

(By Kate E. Cooke.) 

"When we remember that last Teachers' Institute was the 
first to present this subject to the teachers and citizens, we 
have nothing but praise and commendation for the splendid 
work accomplished." 

"Nearly every town of any size has an Association, some 
more flourishing than others, but each one accomplishing its 
main purpose." 

"Our rural schools have been very energetic and have 
done splendid work. In some of them the Parents, Teacher, 
and Commissioners have met with the school, have exchanged 
ideas and have started projects for school improvement." 

"Lecturers from Delaware College have visited in the 
towns and in the country districts and have brought new ideas 
to all." 

"More than twenty-five per cent of all the white schools 
have organized. There is reason to believe that the rest will 
fall into line next year." 

In one town, through the Association, a donation was se- 
cured of $50 for Reference books and of $100 to equip a labor- 
atory. 

By a school entertainment funds were raised to install 
electric lights in the school to make evening meetings possible. 
Another school raised money to buy a coal stove in place of 
the wood stove. 

Better understanding between home and school and more 
friendly feelings toward each other are the result everywhere. 



4. Report of Miss Katie Burtelle, Teacher of the Wesley 
School, Sussex County. 

Note — A special report by Miss Anna Glenn, of New Castle 
County, detailing some noteworthy achievements, has not been 
sent in for publication, which the compiler regrets very much. 
By an omission, no teacher from Kent County had been asked 
to prepare such a special report.) 

This school had an "Historical Outing" to see and to 
stand on the "Mason and Dixon" line. Citizens furnished the 
teams. The home of Patty Cannon was also visited. We vis- 



42 

ited the canning factory at Reliance on the trip. The story 
of the trip became the snbject of a subsequent language exer- 
cise . Our Association was organized after the holidays. Reg- 
ular monthly meetings were held. Our audiences filled the two 
school rooms, numbering from 60 to 120 persons. In all we 
raised about $80; we painted the interior of ihe school, and 
will install electric lights with the balance. One meeting was 
a Corn Show, with prizes. A Corn Club was organized, and a 
prize Corn Growing competition is now in progress on ground 
adjacent to the school-house, the use given by an interested 
member of the Association. We are to have a School Fair in 
the fall. The term closed with a School Picnic; our needs 
were stated to the parents, and the determination to supply 
some of these needs was unmistakably voiced by the active 
Association members 



XIX. REPORTS OF SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC MEETINGS 

OF A UNIQUE KIND, CLOSELY RELATED 

TO ASSOCIATION WORK. 



Newport Carnival for School Benefit. 

(Special to The Evening Journal.) 

Newport, Del., June 24. — A meeting of the home and 
school association was held in the school house on Tuesday ev- 
ening to hear reports of committees and make final arrange- 
ments for their communitj^ carnival and patriotic celebration, 
to be held on the school house green on Saturday afternoon 
and evening, July 3. Much interest has been shown and very 
encouraging reports received. 

There will be a parade at 3 o'clock in charge of Heptasoph 
Lodge, headed by the Heptasoph Band, who will also have 
charge of the fireworks in the evening. Andastaka Tribe of 
Red Men, with Benjamin Mitchell as chairman, will have 
charge of the field sports for the day and they have arranged 
for the following events : 

Sports for men — Relay race, broad jump, 100 yard dash, 
hop, skip and jump, centipede race, run and broad jump, three- 
legged race, sack race. 

For the boys — Pie eating contest and hoop rolling contest. 



43 

For the girls — Potato race and peanut race. 

Miscellaneous — Fifty yard dash for fat women; 100 yard 
dash for lean women ; tug of war between married and unmar- 
ried men ; baseball game by picked teams. 

Ribbons will be offered to the winners of these events. 

Delaware Grange will have charge of a country store, 
with Mrs. Enoch Smith as their chairman. 

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union with Mrs, 
Marvin Ball in charge will offer iced drinks for sale, and Mrs. 
George Stuart will have charge of the pie and ice cream. 

Mrs. J. B. Justis will have charge of the waffle stand. 

Mrs. Harry Dempsey and Mrs. William King will have 
charge of salads. 

The Newport Equal Suffrage Club, with Mrs. Martha S. 
Cranston as their chairman, will sell sandwiches and coffee. 

Mrs. Lena Lynam is chairman of the committee having 
charge of candies and peanuts and home-made candies will be 
sold. 

Mrs. George Fredericks and her helpers will have charge 
of the cakes. The ice cream garden will be in charge of Mrs. 
W. F. Groome and William Jones. Minqua Camp Fire Girls 
will look after novelties, prize packages and souvenirs. 

Mrs. Helen Kipe and Miss Marrietta Groome will have ice 
cream cones. 

The Boy Scouts will have general charge of the grounds 
and furnish information to the visitors. The Home and School 
Association hopes to furnish electric lights for the school build- 
ing with the proceeds of the carnival 



Clubs for Fathers Latest Movement. 

Meeting Held in School and Important Business Comes Up 

At Meeting". 

Bringing up father is getting to be such a fascinating pas- 
time now that father himself has joined in it. At Council 
Bluffs, Iowa, the fathers assembled and asked, "What sort of 
fathers are we ? " They met in a school-house and thus did not 
enjoy the comforts of home and club. 



44 

Tlie first thing they did was to complain. There were 
things about the school they found could be improved at once, 
and they saw to that without delay. This gave the club its 
start along the line of fatherly activity. Stymes Stevenson, 
who called the meeting, learned so much himself about needs 
of schools that he was later made a member of the State Board 
of Education. 

He insisted that the active interest of fathers were essen- 
tial to successful administration and helped to organize fathers 
over his state and in nearby states. The idea is growing. The 
fathers have found other things to care about besides schools. 



XX. WHY JOIN THE PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION 
OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF MOTHERS? 



Some Reasons: 

1. . . The inspiration and assurance which result from the 
feeling of the larger interest, the share in the wider effort, are 
worth securing for the members. It makes them larger-heart- 
ed, wider-visioned men and women. 

2. The experience and wisdom of the National Associa- 
tion is an inexhaustible resource of means, devices, methods 
and plans, from which the local Association should not cut it- 
self off. Rather it should be glad to have such a resource to 
draw upon. 

3. Through the Mothers' Magazine which comes to each 
Association because of such membership, the newest phases of 
all questions and topics of interest to the Association are 
brought before the members in a winning and attractive way. 

4. The cost is so trifling measured by the benefits that it 
is the neglect of a great opportunity not to secure the National 
memberships 

5. The successes and failures in other localities can thus 
minister to the local Association a measure of encouragement 
and wisdom that years could not develop if local resource 
alone be drawn upon. 

6. Membership in the National Association gives mem- 
bership in the local Association its true character, a means of 
continuous education and growth for all who really and truly 
participate in work. 



45 

XXI. SIGNIFICANCE OF PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIA- 
TION WORK. 



1. Putting the community to work for community bet- 
terment, especially for school betterment, is using, 

a. A new force for the teacher, the school, and the 
community, at least in many places it is entirely new. 

b. Or is giving to an old force a new vigor, a new 
vitality, and a quickened impulse, which amount to a new 
discovery. 

2. It is more. It is the development of the earliest and 
most fundamental institution of democracy, the moot or mote 
meeting of the German forests, the town meeting of New Eng- 
land. Absorption in 'political' government has completely 
obscured the place of this organically first, sincerest and sim- 
plest step in democratic self-rule. Beside this development the 
initiative and referendum are mere palliatives. Our educa- 
tional institutions must open the way and direct the intelli- 
gence that shall integrate this most complete expression of 
democracy into our educational and social system. 

3. It becomes the rightful and proper place for each cit- 
izen to take part in the initiation of ideas, proposals, checks, 
and what not, in the direction of communal energy and spirit 
for common welfare. 

If the citizen takes his proper part and responsibility in 
the control and direction of local communal activities, he is 
prepared to understand, to favor or to oppose on proper 
grounds, and to participate as his judgment and conscience 
may dictate, in the affairs of state and nation. 

Thus, participation in the deliberative discussions of such 
organizations as Parent-Teacher Associations is the real finish 
and completion of the education and training in citizenship. At 
one simple sweep the entire 'votes for women' demand 
is met by conceding the right where it has not been denied, in 
the most primary political and social meeting of all, the com- 
munity meeting for the promotion of the common good. 



46 

XXII. AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE, AND A LAST 
WORD OF COUNSEL. 



At the Teachers' Institute of 1915 the Governor, Charles R. 
Miller; the President of Delaware College, Dr. S. C. Mitchell; 
the three County Superintendents, Dr. E. L. Cross, Dr. J. E. 
Carroll, Supt. E. J. Hardesty, and the Commissioner of Edu- 
cation, Dr. Chas. A. Wagner, on the stage, and all the teachers 
of the state in the auditorium, pledged themselves "to devote 
their best efforts during the year to improve lives and living 
in Delaware." Through the Parent-Teacher Associations this 
pledge has been fulfilled in many places. 

The greatest part of the credit for this fulfillment is due 
to earnest, devoted teachers. They caught the vision, they 
embraced the faith and purpose of the leaders, they started 
the work. In spite of discouragements, in spite of opposition, 
they made effort after effort, putting more determination into 
each successive effort. Associations have been organized. The 
records show at least one hundred thirty such organizations 
actively at work. Some failed to report their organization. 
The term 1915-1916 will see many new organizations formed. 
The spirit of eager expectancy, now so strongly and widely 
present, will help wonderfully. Older and younger teachers and 
parents say they feel it, say they are aware of its existence. 
This spirit of expectancy is both preparing conditions and 
shaping the forces that are bringing the change. 

To these faithful, devoted teachers, the Commissioner of 
Education tenders his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for 
their large-minded, large-hearted response to his call for vol- 
unteers. He renews and repeats the call. To bring the changes 
and improvements for which we all hope and long, a still 
stronger public opinion must be created, and the Parent- 
Teacher Associations are our proper and ready means. With 
no abatement of our devotion to the duties of the school-room, 
let us see our duty outside of the school-room to be the organ- 
ization and the aggressive leadership of Parent-Teacher Asso- 
ciations 



A LAST WORD OF COUNSEL. 



Lack of experience makes many teachers hesitate to take 
the first step toward organization . If your reasons for fear 



47 

and timidity are not removed or helped by this Hand Book, a 
letter to your County Superintendent or to the Commissioner 
of Education, stating your difficulties, will surely bring you 
some suggestions intended to help. We have a much larger 
force of experienced persons available now, and will be able to 
recommend some experienced worker near you to help you. 
Start. Make the first move. 

Help to those who have begun will be just as cheerfully 
and just as plentifully given, if request be made for it. The 
County Superintendents, the County Farm Agents and the Col- 
lege Extension lecturers are all available. Let no feeling of 
fear of imposition, of compunction about causing trouble, of 
hesitation about exposing your ov/n resourcelessness, cause you 
to delay to ask for help if you need it. So far as resources, 
strength and time will permit, all requests will be granted. 
May our next year's state conference at the County Institutes 
show varied endeavors, large undertakings, and gratifying 
successes. 



XXIII. HOW RESULTS WILL EVENTUALLY BE 
SECURED. 



The propaganda, agitation, newspaper discussion, table- 
talk, store-box oratory, and post-office eloquence which the 
Associations will start up and set agoing, will produce that 
invincible, irresistible force, Public Opinion. There will result, 

1. A state-wide desire and feeling of need for the various 
betterments advocated. 

2. A state-wide consciousness of power and influence 
wielded by the Associations by the creation of sentiment 
of opinion. 

3. A state-wide expectancy and resolution, or will, to 
have these felt needs supplied. 

4. A ready acquiescence by legislators and state, county, 
or local authorities to grant the demands and to supply the 
needs urged by the Associations. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



019 605 185 5 



